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Buju Banton Foundation Newsletter – June, 2020

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Buju Banton Foundation Newsletter – June, 2020 Buju Banton Foundation provides skills training and educational opportunities for youth. With immense emphasis on at risk males, ages 8-18. Its aim and objectives are to provide mentoring and training for young men in depressed communities and childcare facilities. Encouraging them to put down all negative influences and take up skills and tools that enable them to attain personal, academic and professional growth. So they could become positive contributors to society. Learn more about our works in Destiny News letter. We invite you to become a Friend of Buju Banton Foundation to help achieve our Destiny. June 2020 - September 2020 Editor: Mark Myrie-Buju Banton Writer: Rosemary Duncan Page 2 - Buju Banton Wins 2019 Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award Page 3-5 - Inspiring Vulnerable Boys for A Better Future From left, Mr. Ephraim Martin, Founder & Chairman IRAWMA and Buju Banton Page 6-7 - Educational Supplies for Mount Olivet Boys’ Home Page 8 - Plentiful Provisions for Possibility Programme Youth Hostel Page 9 - Supporting Jamaica Boxing Board’s Gloves Over Guns Programme Page 10 - Covid-19 Message from Buju Banton There was good & evil. We chose good why raise the time of the most high his sons of men Buju Banton Foundation June 2020 - September 2020 1 of 10 Buju Banton Wins 2019 Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award “Poverty is a hellish state to be in. It is no virtue. It is a crime.To be poor, is to be hungry without possible hope of food; to be sick without hope of medicine; to be tired and sleepy without a place to lay one’s head; to be naked without the hope of clothing; to be despised and comfortless.”Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey( Jamaica’s first national hero) Dancehall/reggae icon Buju Banton, was recipient of the 2019 Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award. Presented on March 21, 2020 at the International Reggae & World Music Awards(IRAWMA). The legend recognised for philanthropic works, through the Buju Banton Foundation. Over 750,000 individuals voted. Buju Banton amassed the most awards. Seven in total- six musical accolades and the humanitarian honour. The latter of special significance, as it recognises his investments in persons socio-economically challenged: • Feeding the less fortunate- Buju Banton walked the streets of downtown Kingston handing out meals. • Donating food supplies and personal care items to vulnerable boys at Possibility Programme Youth Hostel, Kingston. • Issuing school stationery to residents at Mount Olivet Boy’s Home, Manchester. • Organising motivational workshops for wards of state. • Endorsing Jamaica Boxing Board’s, Gloves Over Guns initiative. • Gifting air conditioning unit to Kiwanis Club for music room for boys. “The ends you serve that are selfish will take you no further than yourself, but the ends you serve that are for all, in common, will take you into eternity.” Hon. Marcus Garvey The rich man's wealth is in the city. Yeah Destruction of the poor is his poverty. Lord Destruction of your soul is vanity. Yeah, ay, Yeah Do you hear. I and I, I wanna rule my destiny. Yeah I and I, I wanna rule my destiny. Buju Banton Foundation June 2020 - September 2020 2 of 10 Inspiring Vulnerable Boys for A Better Future “There are a lot of boys and young men in need of assistance and proper guidance; so instead of us watching and waiting on the State to neutralise them, I am urging everyone to do what we can, for those whom we can,” Buju Banton. “It was timely. The substance of it is what we need more of. As we need more successful males to motivate young men to become serious about education and their future. We are very thankful to the Buju Banton Foundation for your willingness to support the wards.” Mr. Desmond Whitley, Home Manager at Sunbeam Dr. Kadamawe Knife(Lecturer, University of the West Indies, Mona) discusses the Children’s Home, St. Catherine, importance of focus, concentration, discipline, confidence enthusiastically stated, following a workshop for at risk boys. The topic,‘The Importance of Education, Character & Discipline for Future Success.’ The Buju Banton Foundation, recruited accomplished motivational speakers, Dr. Kadamawe Knife, U.W.I Mona, Lecturer/ Business Management and Entrepreneurship and Mr. Aubrey Stewart, MSc/BSc(Hon), Chief Security Strategist, Ministry of National Security. The latter who hails from the inner city community of Canterbury, Montego Bay, shared his moving personal testimony, as an at risk youth. Subjected to ridicule and scorn by persons who said he would amount to nothing. How he defied all negativity to succeed. Stewart urged wards to dismiss all negative people. “You can be anything you want, if you surround yourself with wisdom from books and positive people. Don’t compare yourself with others, think about your own journey.” He closed with Hon. Marcus Garvey quote, “There is no height that we cannot climb by using the active intelligence of our minds.” Dr. Knife had facility staff and boys fixated, as he taught everyone strategies for success. He opened by inquiring each boy’s interest. Most wanting to pursue careers in creative industry. Dr. Knife affirmed “ Jamaica is one of the most popular countries because of its creative industry- sports, music, etcetera; however, no matter what you want to do, you have to educate yourself about it. Want to DJ? learn to write notes. Buju Banton practices and writes for many hours daily. Not just two to four hours. Several hours daily.” Destiny, mama look from when you call me Destiny, mama look from when you calling I wanna rule my destiny yeah, yeah oh help I please Jah Jah mek mi rule my destiny. Buju Banton Foundation June 2020 - September 2020 3 of 10 He added, “The best footballer, Lionel Messi, plays ball for five minutes, each game. For the remaining eighty-five minutes he studies, thinks, strategizes the game. So football is more thinking than playing. It is not just control, pass, play. Thinking is very important in anything you are going to do. Whatever your career goals, you can learn about it, right here on the computer. Adults sometimes tell youths they spend too much time on the computer; however, in North Korea basic schoolers are already studying computer coding. Encourage youths to develop their skills. Having them express themselves is very important. Remember, though, to apply the same amount of time you do with recreational activities to your Dr. Kadamawe Knife(Lecturer, University of the West Indies, Mona) school work. I tell my eleven year old son, there are four principles for success: focus, concentrate, discipline, confidence. Confidence, is why Usain Bolt wins and other athletes who practice, just as much, fail. Marcus Garvey said “ ‘Without confidence you are twice defeated in the role of life. But with confidence you have won even before you have started.’ ” Dr. Knife told the boys, “A lot of opportunities will emerge in Jamaica. Prepare yourself. We have two cities, Kingston and Montego Bay. The next city will be Clarendon. We will also build St. Thomas. The entire waterfront. We will have ports; therefore, a lot of cruise ships and tourists. They will need food, entertainment, etcetera. The man disciplined enough to develop a certain skill will reap the benefits. Farming is very important. More people in Jamaica die from eating bad foods, than from gun shots. Fifteen thousand persons die, each year, from diabetes (bad food). Get involved in farming to produce good food for Jamaica and visitors to our island. The same manner that you play football and develop friendships, that same group that meets to play ball regularly, can come together to form a business, utilizing their common skills or talents.” I've been blessed I've been touch I love Jah so much They keep fighting me I'm not giving up May the realms of Zion fill my spiritual cup Wisdom overstanding must never be too much Give I protection day and night From even the pestilence that walketh a daylight Buju Banton Foundation June 2020 - September 2020 4 of 10 Mr. Stewart facilitated the session at Possibility Programme Youth Hostel, Kingston. Delving into his early life of dire financial constraints. Being told by community members, that he would be the next don. He disclosed that a lot of his childhood friends are in prison. However, education changed his destiny. Having one day walked past a television and hearing a speech by former U.S. President Barack Obama, in which he mentioned the book, 'The Audacity of Hope.' Mr. Stewart said the word "hope" is what caught his attention. That motivated him to read, dream big and focus on education. He excelled academically and attended university. It was tough. Stewart recalls sending out fifty letters seeking financial assistance. Just one responded encouraging him to be positive. Nonetheless he remained hopeful. Mr. Aubrey Stewart encourages participants by sharing his personal struggles Until one day, a good samaritan reached out to cover all expenses. At the close of the workshop, Stewart urged participants to always be positive. Each was handed a pea seed and cup. Stewart advised they plant, water, nurture the seed daily, just as they would their dreams. Ms. Rosemary Duncan, Director at Buju Banton Foundation, asserted "The foundation is committed to ensuring at risk boys, across Jamaica, become meaningful contributors to society and From left- Rosemary Duncan, Director, Buju Banton thus has a lot of great works planned for successful fruition of that Foundation & Mr. Aubrey Stewart, Chief Security Strategist, mission. Ministry of National Security Destiny, mama look from when you calling Destiny, mama look from when you calling I wanna rule my destiny yeah, yeah oh help I please Jah Jah mek mi rule my destiny.
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